Method and apparatus for securing a movable item to a structure

ABSTRACT

An electronic lock is provided for removably securing a movable item to a structure, the electronic lock comprising first and second complementary cooperating member, each mounted to a respective one of the movable item and the structure and being engageable together in a lockable position and a securing assembly for securing the first and second connecting member together when engaged in the lockable position, wherein the securing assembly comprises inter alia a position detecting means, an electronic control means, an actuator, a locking aperture and a movable locking member.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/417,108, filed on Apr. 2, 2009, entitled “METHODAND APPARATUS FOR SECURING A MOVABLE ITEM TO A STRUCTURE”, now U.S. Pat.No. 8,061,499, which in turn claims priority from U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/047,162, filed on Apr. 23, 2008, all of whichare incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to locking systems. More precisely, the inventionpertains to an electronic lock for securing a movable item to astructure and an associated method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Securing a moveable item to a structure is of great interest for variousapplications. For instance, it may be desirable to secure a vehicle to afixed structure. This may be particularly advantageous in applicationswhere the vehicle is to be rented for a given amount of time.

More specifically, there has been in recent years a rise in thepopularity of automated rental systems for vehicles such as bicycles forexample. Such a system generally comprises an automated rental stationfrom which a user may rent a bicycle for a given amount of time.

In such a system, a bicycle to be rented is generally removably securedto a bicycle rack by means of a locking mechanism. A user mayselectively unsecure and secure again the bicycle from the bicycle rackin certain circumstances, for instance after paying a given fee and/orproviding a personal identification code.

Such rental systems generally comprise a plurality of rental stationslocated in different public locations, making them likely targets ofacts of vandalism from malevolent individuals. Their robustness is thusan important element of a successful rental system.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,917,407, granted to Squire, discloses anautomated bicycle renting station wherein the bicycle rack comprises alocking mechanism having a hook or latch member. This hook or latchmember is designed to selectively pivot around an axle to engage a rodor a keeper mounted on the bicycle to be secured, thereby effectivelysecuring the bicycle to the renting station.

Such a station may be subject to vandalism. Indeed, a malicious personmay tug at the bicycle engaged in the renting station, using the latchas a lever and the axle as a pivot point to bend the latch out of shapeor damage the keeper and free the bicycle from the renting stationwithout paying the given fee.

Other locking systems for bicycles have also been proposed in the art.However, such systems are still prone to property damage and theft ofbicycles and may thus cause great financial harm to operators of suchbicycle renting systems.

Moreover, in some bicycle rental systems, unsecuring a bicycle from abicycle rental station involves lifting the bicycle or otherwisemanipulating the bicycle such that a great physical effort is requiredfrom a user of the bicycle rental system. This activity is inconvenientfor the user and may lead to injuries.

Furthermore, in some bicycle rental systems, the task of guiding thebicycle towards the bicycle rack for the purpose of securing the bicycleto the bicycle rack may be arduous and inconvenient for a user.

There is therefore a need for a method and an apparatus that willovercome at least one of the above mentioned drawbacks.

BRIEF SUMMARY

There is provided an electronic lock for removably securing a movableitem to a structure, the electronic lock comprising first and secondcomplementary cooperating connecting members, each being fixedly mountedto a respective one of the movable item and the structure and beingengageable together in a lockable position, and a securing assembly forsecuring the first and second connecting members together when engagedin the lockable position, the securing assembly comprising a movablelocking member operatively associated to the first connecting member, alocking aperture defined in the second connecting member, the lockingaperture being adapted for receiving the movable locking member when theconnecting members are engaged together in the lockable position, anactuator operatively coupled to the movable locking member for actuatingthe movable locking member between an unlocked position enablingdisengagement of the first and second connecting members and a lockedposition wherein the movable locking member engages the locking apertureand electronic control means operatively coupled to the actuator forcontrolling selective actuation of the movable locking member from theunlocked position to the locked position and from the locked position tothe unlocked position when the connecting members are engaged togetherin the lockable position.

In one embodiment, the first connecting member comprises a femaleconnector mounted to the structure and the second connecting membercomprises a corresponding complementary male connector mounted to themovable item.

In another embodiment, the second connecting member comprises a maleconnector having a front tapered portion, the tapered portion comprisingtwo opposed side surfaces converging towards each other and a bottomsurface, the first connecting member comprising a female connectorhaving a recess adapted for receiving the front tapered portion therein,the recess comprising a corresponding tapered portion having two opposedinner side walls converging towards each other and two opposed sittingmembers projecting inwards the recess and adapted for slidably receivingthereon the tapered portion of the male connector.

In a further embodiment, each of the two opposed side surfaces and thebottom surface of the front tapered portion of the male connectorcomprises a planar surface.

In another embodiment, the two opposed side surfaces of the fronttapered portion of the male connector define a V-shape and thecorresponding inner side walls of the tapered portion of the recess ofthe female connector define a complementary V-shape adapted to snugglyreceive the front tapered portion of the male connector.

In yet another embodiment, each of the two opposed side surfaces of thefront tapered portion of the male connector comprises a substantiallyvertical planar surface and each of the two opposed inner side walls ofthe tapered portion of the recess of the female connector comprises asubstantially vertical planar surface.

In yet another embodiment, the second connecting member comprises alocking finger extending downwardly from the front tapered portion, thelocking aperture being provided on the locking finger.

In a further embodiment, the recess of the female connector furthercomprises two opposed lower inner side walls converging towards eachother and defining a finger channel adapted for receiving the lockingfinger therein.

In one embodiment, the male connector further comprises a back portionand a hinge extending between the front tapered portion and the backportion for enabling a jointed coupling therebetween.

In one embodiment, the electronic lock further comprises holding meansadapted for cooperating with each of the connecting members fortemporarily holding the connecting members together in the lockableposition once engaged therein.

In a further embodiment, the holding means comprise a pair of twoopposed biased elements mounted to a respective one of the first andsecond connecting members, each of the biased elements having a restingposition wherein the element is urged outwardly and protrudes from thecorresponding connecting member, the holding means further comprising apair of corresponding cooperating opposed receiving recesses mounted tothe remaining connecting member, each of the receiving recesses beingadapted to receive therein a corresponding biased element when the firstand second connecting members are engaged in the lockable position,thereby holding the connecting members together in the lockableposition.

In another further embodiment, each of the biased elements comprises aball and a ball spring mounted in a ball housing, each of the receivingrecesses comprising a corresponding spherical portion.

In yet another further embodiment, each of the biased elements ismounted on the connecting member mounted to the structure and each ofthe receiving recesses is mounted on the connecting member mounted tothe movable item.

In yet a further embodiment, the connecting member mounted to thestructure comprises a female connector and the connecting member mountedto the movable item comprises a male connector.

In one embodiment, the securing assembly comprises position detectingmeans mounted to one of the first and second connecting members fordetecting a positioning of the first and second connecting members inthe lockable position.

In another embodiment, the securing assembly comprises positiondetecting means mounted to the female connector for detecting apositioning of the first and second connecting members in the lockableposition, the position detecting means being adapted for detecting apositioning of the locking finger in the finger channel.

In one embodiment, the securing assembly further comprises positiondetecting means mounted to one of the first and second connectingmembers for detecting a positioning of the first and second connectingmember in the lockable position, the electronic control means beingadapted for selectively actuating the actuator to move the movablelocking member from the unlocked position to the locked position upondetection of the positioning of the first and second connecting memberin the lockable position.

In another embodiment, the securing assembly further comprises positiondetecting means mounted to one of the first and second connectingmembers for detecting a positioning of the first and second connectingmember in the lockable position, an identification tag associated withthe movable item and an identification reader for identifying theidentification tag and the associated movable item when the first andsecond connectors are engaged in the lockable position.

In a further embodiment, the electronic control means are adapted forselectively actuating the actuator to move the movable locking memberfrom the unlocked position to the locked position upon detection of thepositioning of the first and second connecting members in the lockableposition and identification of the associated movable item.

In yet a further embodiment, the identification tag comprises an RFIDtag and the identification reader comprises an RFID reader mounted tothe structure.

In one embodiment, the electronic control means comprise unsecuringmeans for enabling an actuating of the movable locking member from thelocked position to the unlocked position, the unsecuring means beingselected from a group consisting of a card reader adapted for receivinga corresponding user card, a keypad adapted for receiving a user codeand a bar code reader adapted for reading a corresponding bar code.

In another embodiment, the movable locking member comprises an elongatedmember axially translatable between the unlocked position and the lockedposition, the locking member being engaged at both ends in the firstconnecting member through the locking aperture when in the lockedposition.

In a further embodiment, the actuator comprises a motor and a shaftdriven by the motor, the shaft being attached to the movable lockingmember for driving the movable locking member between the unlockedposition and the locked position.

In yet a further embodiment, the securing assembly further comprisesshaft position detecting means for monitoring a position of the shaft tothereby monitor a position of the movable locking member.

In yet a further embodiment, the shaft position detecting means comprisean optical detector and a mechanical detector, each of the detectorsbeing adapted for detecting the position of the shaft and an associatedposition of the movable locking member in the locked position.

In one embodiment, the movable item comprises a bicycle and thestructure comprises a bicycle rack.

In a further embodiment, the bicycle rack is a part of a bicycle rentalstation.

In another further embodiment, the connecting member mounted on thebicycle comprises attaching means for fixedly attaching the connectingmember to a fork of the bicycle.

In yet a further embodiment, the attaching means comprise a pair ofcylindrical holes extending through the connecting member mounted on thebicycle, the pair of cylindrical holes being adapted to fixedly receivethe fork of the bicycle therein.

In one embodiment, the movable item comprises a vehicle selected from agroup consisting of a stroller, a wheelchair, an all-terrain vehicle, ascooter and a boat.

According to one embodiment, there is provided an electronic lock forremovably securing a movable item to a structure, the electronic lockcomprising an elongated male connector fixedly mounted to the movableitem and comprising a locking aperture, a female connector fixedlymounted to the structure and adapted for removably receiving therein theelongated male connector and a securing assembly associated to thefemale connector, the securing assembly comprising a movable lockingmember displaceable between an unlocked position for allowing the femaleconnector to receive therein the elongated male connector and a lockedposition, an actuator for causing displacement of the locking memberbetween the unlocked position and the locked position and electroniccontrol means coupled to the actuator for controlling displacement ofthe locking member between the unlocked position and the lockedposition, wherein when the elongated male connector is received in thefemale connector, the electronic control means controls the actuator forcausing the locking member to displace towards the locked position andto engage the locking aperture, thereby securing the elongated maleconnector in the female connector.

According to another aspect, there is provided a method for removablysecuring a movable item to a structure.

Accordingly, the method comprises providing an electronic lock forremovably securing the movable item to the structure, the electroniclock comprising first and second complementary cooperating connectingmembers, each being fixedly mounted to a respective one of the movableitem and the structure and being engageable together in a lockableposition, and a securing assembly for securing the first and secondconnecting members together when engaged in the lockable position, thesecuring assembly comprising a movable locking member operativelyassociated to the first connecting member, a locking aperture defined inthe second connecting member, the locking aperture being adapted forreceiving the movable locking member when the connecting members areengaged together in the lockable position, an actuator operativelycoupled to the movable locking member for actuating the movable lockingmember between an unlocked position enabling disengagement of the firstand second connecting members and a locked position wherein the movablelocking member engages the locking aperture and electronic control meansoperatively coupled to the actuator for controlling selective actuationof the movable locking member from the unlocked position to the lockedposition and from the locked position to the unlocked position when theconnecting members are engaged together in the lockable position;engaging the first and second connecting members together in thelockable position and actuating the locking member to the lockedposition so that the locking member engages the locking aperture,thereby securing the movable item to the structure.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises monitoring a positioningof the first and second connecting members in the lockable positionbefore actuating the locking member.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises identifying themovable item before actuating the locking member.

In yet another embodiment, engaging the first and second connectingmembers together in the lockable position comprises guiding theconnecting member mounted to the movable item towards the lockableposition.

In yet another embodiment, engaging the first and second connectingmembers together in the lockable position comprises holding the firstand second connecting members engaged in the lockable position.

In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises, beforeactuating the locking member, detecting a positioning of the first andsecond connecting members in the lockable position and identifying themovable item to provide an identification thereof, wherein, in theactuating, the locking member is actuated to the locked position upondetection of the positioning of the first and second connecting membersin the lockable position and the identification of the movable item.

In a further embodiment, identifying comprises a radio-frequencyidentification.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises requesting a useridentification and actuating the locking member to the unlocked positionfor unsecuring the movable item upon reception of the useridentification.

In another embodiment, the movable item comprises a bicycle and thestructure comprises a bicycle rack.

According to another aspect, there is provided a kit for removablysecuring a movable item to a structure.

Accordingly, the kit comprises first and second complementarycooperating connecting members, each being fixedly mountable to arespective one of the movable item and the structure and beingengageable together in a lockable position, and a securing assembly forsecuring the first and second connecting members together when engagedin the lockable position, the securing assembly comprising a movablelocking member operatively associatable to the first connecting member,a locking aperture defined in the second connecting member, the lockingaperture being adapted for receiving the movable locking member when theconnecting members are engaged together in the lockable position, anactuator operatively couplable to the movable locking member foractuating the movable locking member between an unlocked positionenabling disengagement of the first and second connecting members and alocked position wherein the movable locking member engages the lockingaperture and electronic control means operatively couplable to theactuator for controlling selective actuation of the movable lockingmember from the unlocked position to the locked position and from thelocked position to the unlocked position when the connecting members areengaged together in the lockable position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be readily understood, embodiments ofthe invention are illustrated by way of example in the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a bicycle rack having an electroniclock mounted thereon in accordance with one embodiment, with a bicycleremoved from the bicycle rack.

FIG. 2 is another rear perspective view of the bicycle rack shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the bicycle rack shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the bicycle secured to the bicyclerack using the electronic lock shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of the electronic lock shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5A is a front perspective view of an electronic lock for removablysecuring a movable item to a structure, in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIG. 5B is a right perspective view of the electronic lock shown in FIG.5A.

FIG. 5C is a right perspective view of another electronic lock forremovably securing a movable item to a structure.

FIG. 6 is a right perspective view of the electronic lock shown in FIG.5B wherein the male connector is engaged with the female connector.

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the electronic lock shown in FIG.6.

FIG. 8A is a left side elevation view of the electronic lock shown inFIG. 6.

FIG. 8B is a top plan view of the electronic lock shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8C is a right side elevation view of the electronic lock shown inFIG. 6.

FIG. 8D is a front elevation view of the electronic lock shown in FIG.6.

FIG. 9 is a 3D perspective view, cross-sectioned along lines AA-AA ofFIG. 6, of the electronic lock shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a rear elevation view of the electronic lock shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 11A is a front elevation view, cross-sectioned along lines AA-AA ofFIG. 6, of the electronic lock shown in FIG. 6, wherein the maleconnector is unsecured from the female connector.

FIG. 11B is another front elevation view, cross-sectioned along linesAA-AA of FIG. 6, of the electronic lock shown in FIG. 6 wherein the maleconnector has been secured in the female connector.

FIG. 11C is a front elevation view, cross-sectioned along lines BB-BB ofFIG. 6, of the electronic lock shown in FIG. 6, wherein the maleconnector has been engaged in the female connector.

FIG. 12A is a left perspective view of the male connector of anelectronic lock for removably securing a movable item to a structure.

FIG. 12B is a bottom perspective view of the male connector shown inFIG. 12A.

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view, cross-sectioned along lines BB-BBof FIG. 6, of the electronic lock shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the female connector ofthe electronic lock for removably securing a movable item to astructure.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of a method for removably securing a movableitem to a structure, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart of a method for removably securing a movableitem to a structure, in accordance with another embodiment.

Further details of the invention and its advantages will be apparentfrom the detailed description included below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of the embodiments, references to theaccompanying drawings are by way of illustration of an example by whichthe invention may be practiced. It will be understood that otherembodiments may be made without departing from the scope of theinvention disclosed.

The invention provides an electronic lock for securing a movable item toa structure. As it will be more clearly understood upon reading of thepresent description, the electronic lock may advantageously be used in agreat variety of applications, such as for example in a vehicle rentalsystem such as a bicycle rental system. The skilled addressee willhowever appreciate that many other applications may be considered, as itwill be more detailed thereinafter.

In the following description of the illustrated embodiments, the movableitem comprises a bicycle and the structure comprises a bicycle rack. Thebicycle rack is part of a bicycle renting station and is fixedly mountedthereto. It will be appreciated that an operator of such a station maywant to control rentals of bicycles to be rented and returns of rentedbicycles. Such a station would thus greatly benefit from having means toremovably secure a bicycle to be rented to the bicycle rack.

Now referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, there is shown a bicycle rack 100 havingan electronic lock 102 mounted thereon in accordance with oneembodiment. There is further shown a bicycle 104 removed from thebicycle rack 100.

The electronic lock 102 comprises first and second complementarycooperating connecting members, each being fixedly mounted to arespective one of the bicycle 104 and the bicycle rack 100. In theillustrated embodiment, the first connecting member comprises a femaleconnector 106 mounted to the bicycle rack 100 and the second connectingmember comprises a corresponding complementary male connector 108mounted to the bicycle 104, as better shown in FIG. 2.

As it will be more clearly detailed thereinafter, the male connector 108and the female connector 106 are engageable together in a lockableposition.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the bicycle 104 comprises afront fork 110, a front wheel 112 and a handlebar 114. Morespecifically, the front fork 110 comprises a first lower end 116 havingthe front wheel 112 rotatably mounted thereto and a second opposed upperend 118 whereto the handlebar 114 is fixedly mounted. The skilledaddressee will appreciate that, in such an embodiment, the handlebar 114may be used to rotate the front wheel 112.

Still in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the male connector 108 isfixedly mounted to the front fork 110 of the bicycle 104. Thisconfiguration is of great advantage since it facilitates the engagementof the bicycle 104 in the bicycle rack 100.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, in one embodiment, the bicycle rack 100comprises a substantially vertical hollow elongated frame 120 having afirst lower end 122 fixedly attached to a base 124 and an opposed upperend 126 comprising a female connector fixing recess 128. The femaleconnector 106 is fixedly mounted in the female connector fixing recess128 using fixing means (not shown) such as bolts and screws. The skilledaddressee will appreciate that any other fixing means adapted to fixedlysecure the female connector 106 in the recess 128 may be considered.

In one embodiment, the base 124 comprises a structure adapted formounting at least one bicycle rack thereon.

In an alternative embodiment, the base 124 comprises a substantiallyhorizontal ground surface such as a parking lot, a sidewalk, a portionof a street or the like.

The skilled addressee will appreciate that, in one embodiment the femaleconnector 106 is vertically positioned at a level substantiallycorresponding to the level of the male connector 108 when the frontwheel 112 of the bicycle 104 is lying on the base 124. Thisconfiguration helps the user of the bicycle 104 to guide the maleconnector 108 towards the female connector 106 without having to liftthe bicycle 104, which is of great advantage.

As previously mentioned, in one embodiment, the bicycle rack 100 is partof a bicycle rental station, the bicycle rental station being part of abicycle rental system. It will be appreciated that such a bicycle rentalstation is generally installed in a public area. Therefore, to preventthe female connector 106 from being tampered with, stolen or otherwisevandalized, the female connector fixing means (not shown) isadvantageously robust and reliable.

In one embodiment, the female connector fixing means comprise fastenersprovided with a corresponding special unfastening tool, the specialunfastening tool being in the possession of an operator of the bicyclerenting system. This configuration advantageously enables the operatorto selectively remove the female connector from the bicycle rack formaintenance purposes or other purposes while preventing undesiredremoval of the female connector 106 from the bicycle rack 100 by anunauthorized person.

In another embodiment, the female connector fixing means comprisewelding the female connector 106 inside the female connector fixingrecess 128. It will however be appreciated that any other means adaptedfor preventing an unauthorized removal of the female connector 106 fromthe bicycle rack 100 may be considered.

For example, in yet another embodiment, the female connector 106 and thehollow elongated frame 120 may form an integral structure.

As better shown in FIG. 3, the illustrated bicycle rack 100 furthercomprises a vertical wheel receiving slot 300 defined on the hollowelongated frame 120, this wheel receiving slot 300 being adapted toreceive therein the front wheel 112 of the bicycle 104.

In one embodiment, the hollow elongated frame 120 may further comprise apair of wheel guiding members 130, 132 extending vertically between thelower end 122 and the opposed upper end 126 of the bicycle rack 100, thewheel guiding members 132, 134 being positioned on both sides of thewheel receiving slot 300, as best shown in FIG. 2.

The wheel guiding members 130, 132 enable the guiding of the bicyclewheel 112 forwardly when the bicycle 104 is engaging the wheel receivingslot 300. It will be appreciated that the wheel guiding members 130, 132and the wheel receiving slot 300 may contribute to the alignment of themale connector 108 with the female connector 106, as it will becomeapparent below.

The skilled addressee will appreciate that the shape of the bicycle rack100 is dependent on where the male connector 108 is mounted to thebicycle 104. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the bicycle rack100 may comprise a vertical pole having a first lower end attached to abase and a second, opposed upper end, the female connector 106 beingmounted at the upper end of the pole.

In yet another embodiment, the bicycle rack 100 may comprise ahorizontal docking bar having a plurality of spaced apart femaleconnectors fixedly mounted thereon, the plurality of female connectorsbeing adapted for receiving a plurality of male connectors therein.

The skilled addressee will appreciate that various other configurationsmay be considered for the bicycle rack 100.

Now referring to FIGS. 4 and 4A, there is shown a bicycle 104 secured toa bicycle rack 100 using the electronic lock 102.

It will be appreciated that in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A,the male connector 108 and the corresponding female connector 106 areengaged together in the lockable position, while in the embodiment shownin FIGS. 1 to 3, the male connector 108 is disengaged from thecorresponding female connector 106.

It will be further appreciated that in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4and 4A, the front wheel 112 of the bicycle 104 is engaged in the wheelreceiving slot 300, while in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, thefront wheel 112 of the bicycle 104 is disengaged from the wheelreceiving slot 300.

The operation of engaging the male connector 108 and the femaleconnector 106 together in the lockable position will now be described inaccordance with one embodiment, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4A.

The bicycle 104 is first positioned near the bicycle rack 100, the maleconnector 108 generally facing towards the female connector 106, asshown in FIGS. 1 to 3. A user uses the handlebar 114 to rotate the frontwheel 112 of the bicycle 104 until the front wheel 112 is aligned withthe wheel receiving slot 300.

The bicycle 104 may now be moved forwardly in a direction F using thehandlebar 114 such that the front wheel 112 of the bicycle 104 engagesthe wheel receiving slot 300, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A. It will beappreciated that the wheel guiding members 130, 132 further contributesto guide the bicycle wheel 112 forwardly into the wheel receiving slot300.

It will be further appreciated that in this embodiment, guiding thefront bicycle wheel 112 forwardly causes the male connector 108,advantageously mounted to the fork 110 of the bicycle, to be guidedtowards the female connector 106.

The bicycle is further moved forwardly in the direction F until the maleconnector 108 and the female connector 106 engage together in thelockable position. Once they are engaged in the lockable position, theelectronic lock 102 can be used to secure the connectors 106, 108together, thereby securing the bicycle 104 to the bicycle rack 100, asit will become apparent below.

It will be appreciated that such a positioning of the male connector 106at the front of the bicycle 104 advantageously enables a user to movethe bicycle 104 forward by using the handlebar 114 while standing ofeither the left or right side of the bicycle 104. Thus, the securing ofthe bicycle 104 in the rack 100 is facilitated, which is of greatadvantage.

Now referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, there is shown an electronic lock 102for removably securing a bicycle 104 (not shown) to a bicycle rack 100(not shown).

In the illustrated embodiment, the male connector 108 comprises a backportion 501 and a front tapered portion 503 forwardly extendingtherefrom. The front tapered portion 503 comprises two opposed sidesurfaces 550, 552 converging towards each other, a bottom surface 551and a top surface 553, as better shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B.

More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, each of the twoopposed side surfaces 550, 552 comprise a substantially vertical planarsurface, these two opposed side surfaces 550, 552 converging towardseach other to thereby define a V-shape.

In one embodiment, the male connector 108 comprises attaching means forfixedly attaching the male connector 108 to the front fork 110 of thebicycle 104 (not shown). In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, theattaching means are provided on the back portion 501 and comprise twocylindrical holes 500 vertically oriented and adapted to fixedly receivetherein the fork 110 of the bicycle 104. The skilled addressee willappreciate that various other arrangements may be considered.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the back portion 501 and thefront tapered portion 503 of the male connector 108 form an integralstructure.

Now referring to FIG. 5C, there is shown an alternative embodiment of amale connector 108. In the illustrated embodiment, the male connector108 further comprises a hinge 505 extending between the front taperedportion 503 and the back portion 501 for enabling a jointed couplingtherebetween.

More specifically, in one embodiment, the hinge 505 comprises a pair ofopposed pivoting hinge members, each being respectively attached to acorresponding one of the back portion 501 and the front portion 503 soas to enable an upward pivoting movement of the back portion 501 withrespect to the front tapered portion 503.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that such a configurationprevents a malicious individual from damaging the male connector 108 byapplying an upward force at a back end of the bicycle 104, thereby usingthe bicycle 104 as a lever. This configuration may be of great advantagein the case where the electronic lock 102 is located in a public areaand may be subject to acts of vandalism.

In one embodiment, the hinge 505 further comprises a torsion spring (notshown) resiliently connecting the front tapered portion 503 to the backportion 501. It will be appreciated that other arrangements may beconsidered to provide an articulated connection between the back portion501 and the front tapered portion 503.

Now referring to FIGS. 5B, 12A and 12B, in one embodiment, the maleconnector 108 further comprises a locking finger 508 extendingdownwardly from the front tapered portion 503. The locking finger 508 issubstantially vertical and is provided with a locking aperture 510thereon. In this embodiment, the locking aperture 510 has an axisextending substantially horizontally through the locking finger 508,perpendicularly to the direction F.

In one embodiment, the locking finger 508 and the front tapered portion503 form an integral structure. Such a configuration provides the maleconnector 108 with an improved resistance to vandalism, which is ofgreat advantage in the case where the electronic lock 102 is used in apublic bicycle rental system.

In another embodiment, the locking finger 508 is welded to the bottomsurface 551 of the front tapered portion 503 using welding techniquesknown to the skilled addressee such as arc welding, stick welding,plasma welding, TIG welding or the like.

In yet another embodiment, the locking finger 508 may be glued to thebottom surface 551 of the front tapered portion 503 using an adhesiveknown to the skilled addressee, such as epoxy or the like.

In yet another embodiment, the male connector 108 may not comprise alocking finger 508. In such an embodiment, the locking aperture 510 isinstead provided on the front tapered portion 503 of the male connector108.

Now referring back to FIGS. 5A and 5B, in one embodiment, the femaleconnector 106 comprises a recess 511 adapted for receiving the fronttapered portion 503 of the male connector therein. More specifically,the recess 511 comprises a tapered portion having two opposed inner sidewalls 512, 514. In one embodiment, each of the two opposed side walls512, 514 comprises a substantially vertical planar surface, the twoopposed side walls 512, 514 converging towards each other to therebydefine a V-shape therebetween.

In another embodiment, each of the two opposed side walls 512, 514 maycomprise a concave or convex surface adapted to receive a correspondingconvex or concave surface of the front tapered portion 503.

The skilled addressee will appreciate that various other configurationsmay be considered for the two opposed side walls 512, 514, as long asthe shape of the recess 511 is complementary to the shape of the fronttapered portion 503 of the male connector 108. For example,corresponding complementary vertically slanted surfaces may beenvisaged.

Still referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, in one embodiment, the recess 511further comprises a back wall 513 wherefrom extend outwardly andbackwardly the two opposed inner side walls 512, 514. In an alternativeembodiment, the recess 511 may not comprise a back wall. Instead, thetwo opposed inner side walls 512, 514 may converge forwardly towards anopening defined therebetween.

In one embodiment, the recess 511 further comprises two opposed sittingmembers 516, 518 projecting inwardly into the recess 511. The twoopposed sitting members 516, 518 are adapted for slidably receivingthereon the bottom surface 551 of the tapered portion 503 of the maleconnector 108, as it will become apparent below.

Still referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, in one embodiment, the recess 511further comprises two opposed lower inner side walls 520, 522 convergingtowards each other and defining a finger channel 515 adapted forreceiving the locking finger 508 therein, as better shown in FIG. 7.

More specifically, according to one embodiment, each of the two opposedsitting members 516, 518 comprise a fin or a protruding member extendingsidewardly from the two opposed inner side walls 512, 514 in aflange-like configuration. Each of the two fins comprises a top sittingsurface adapted to receive thereon the bottom surface 551 of the taperedportion 503 of the male connector 108.

In one embodiment, the two opposed lower inner side walls 520, 522comprise two planar surfaces extending substantially downwardly from thetwo top sitting surfaces.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, each of the two opposedlower inner side walls 520, 522 comprise a front portion and a backportion. The two back portions face each other and define the fingerchannel 515 therebetween which is adapted to receive the locking finger508 therein. The two front portions face each other and define aV-shaped guiding channel in front of the finger channel 515 for guidingthe locking finger 508 therein.

The skilled addressee will appreciate that the above describedarrangement may help guiding the male connector 108 into the femaleconnector 106 using the two opposed lower inner side walls 520, 522,which is of great advantage.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the two opposed sitting members516, 518 comprise a continuous surface. The skilled addressee willhowever appreciate that a plurality of spaced apart top surfaces may beconsidered. For instance, the two opposed sitting members 516, 518 maycomprise a plurality of spaced apart cantilevers extending inwardly intothe recess 511 from the two opposed inner side walls 512, 514, thespaced apart cantilevers being aligned so as to form a path on which thefront tapered portion 503 of the male connector 108 may travel towardsthe lockable position.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5A, the sitting members 516, 518provide a substantially planar sliding surface. The skilled addresseewill however appreciate that a surface slightly curved upwardly may beconsidered and may further facilitate the insertion of the maleconnector 108 in the female connector 106.

The skilled addressee will appreciate that various configurations of therecess 511 of the female connector 106 and of the front tapered portion503 of the male connector 108 may be provided, as long as the fronttapered portion 503 of the male connector 108 and the recess 511 of thefemale connector 106 are complementary such that the front taperedportion 503 of the male connector 108 may snuggly engage the recess 511,as it will become apparent below.

Now referring to FIGS. 6 to 8D, there is shown an electronic lock 102that may be used for removably securing a bicycle to a bicycle rack, themale connector 108 and the female connector 106 being engaged togetherin the lockable position. It will be appreciated that in the illustratedembodiment, the male connector 108 has not yet been secured to thefemale connector 106.

As better shown in FIG. 6, the front tapered portion 503 of the maleconnector 108 snuggly engages the tapered portion of the recess 511 ofthe female connector 106. In other words, the two opposed side surfaces550, 552 of the front tapered portion 503 of the male connector 108respectively abut the two corresponding opposed inner side walls 512,514 of the recess 511 of the female connector 106. In the meantime, thebottom surface 551 of the front tapered portion 503 is lying on the twoopposed sitting members 516, 518.

Such a position of the male connector 108 with respect to the femaleconnector 106 enables a selective locking of the electronic lock using asecuring assembly, as it will be more clearly detailed below.

As previously mentioned, it will be appreciated that various otherarrangements may be considered for the male connector 108 and the femaleconnector 106, as long as they are complementary to each other andengageable in a lockable position.

Now referring to FIGS. 9 and 11A, the electronic lock further comprisesa securing assembly 506 for securing the male connector 108 and thefemale connector 106 together when engaged in the lockable positionshown in FIGS. 6 to 8D.

It will be appreciated that, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 11A,the male connector 108 and the female connector 106 are engaged in thelockable position, but the male connector 108 is not yet secured to thefemale connector 106.

In one embodiment, the securing assembly 506 comprises a movable lockingmember 1000 operatively associated to the female connector 106. Thelocking aperture 510 provided on the locking finger 508 is adapted toreceive the movable locking member 1000 when the male connector 108 andthe female connector 106 are engaged together in the lockable position.Throughout the following description, the securing assembly 506 will bedescribed as being associated to the female connector 106 but theskilled addressee will appreciate that the securing assembly may bealternatively associated to the male connector 108.

In the illustrated embodiment, the movable locking member 1000 comprisesan elongated member axially translatable between an unlocked positionenabling disengagement of the male connector 108 and the femaleconnector 106 and a locked position wherein the movable locking member1000 engages the locking aperture 510 to prevent disengagement of thetwo connectors 106, 108.

The movable locking member 1000 is translatable in a bore defined in thefemale connector 106, the bore being coaxial to the locking aperture510. In other words, the bore is positioned such that it is axiallyaligned with the locking aperture 510 when the male connector 108 andthe female connector 106 are engaged together in the lockable positionso as to enable a translation of the locking member 1000 in and out ofthe locking aperture 510.

Still referring to FIGS. 9 and 11A, the securing assembly 506 furthercomprises an actuator operatively coupled to the movable locking member1000 for actuating the movable locking member 1000 between the unlockedposition and the locked position.

In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator comprises a motor 540 and ashaft 542 driven by the motor 540, the shaft 542 being attached to themovable locking member 1000 for driving the movable locking member 1000between the unlocked position and the locked position.

In one embodiment, the motor 540 comprises a stepping motor and theshaft 542 comprises an externally threaded shaft rotatably coupled tothe motor 540. The skilled addressee will appreciate that various otherarrangements may be considered. For example, other actuators known inthe art, such as a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a magneticactuator or the like, may be used to drive the shaft.

In one embodiment, the actuator is automatic. It will be appreciatedthat in this embodiment, no physical effort from a user is required,which is of great advantage as it will become apparent below.

In the illustrated embodiment, an additional bore 524 coaxial to thefirst one is provided in the female connector 106, as better shown inFIG. 5A. Thus, when actuated in the locked position, the locking member1000 simultaneously engages the first bore, the locking aperture 510 andthe additional bore 524, as illustrated in FIG. 11B. In other words, thelocking member 1000 is engaged at both ends in the female connector 106through the locking aperture 510 when the locking member 1000 is in thelocked position.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that this configuration providesa great advantage to the electronic lock. Indeed, if the male connectoris forcibly pulled from the female connector in a direction opposed tothe direction F in an effort to remove the bicycle from the bicycle rackwhen the locking member is in the locked position, a force exerted bythe locking finger on the locking member will be distributed betweenboth ends of the locking member engaged in the female connector 106.This configuration is of great advantage for providing a robust securingof the bicycle to the bicycle rack.

The skilled addressee will appreciate that other arrangements may beconsidered. For example, the locking aperture 510 may comprise a blindhole adapted to receive a corresponding end of the locking member 1000.

Now referring to FIG. 10, the securing assembly 506 further compriseselectronic control means operatively coupled to the actuator forcontrolling selective actuation of the movable locking member 1000 fromthe unlocked position to the locked position when the male connector 108and the female connector 106 are engaged together in the lockableposition. Moreover, the electronic control means also controls selectiveactuation of the movable locking member 1000 from the locked position tothe unlocked position, as it will become apparent below.

In one embodiment, actuation of the movable locking member is automatic.More specifically, in this embodiment, the electronic control means areoperatively coupled to the actuator such that they selectively urgeactivation of the actuator. This causes the movable locking member 1000to be actuated from the unlocked position to the locked position or fromthe locked position to the unlocked position to the locked position, asmentioned hereabove.

One will appreciate that this configuration is of great advantage sinceit requires no physical effort from the user to displace the movablelocking member 1000, thereby reducing the risk of injury and theinconvenience related to such an activity.

Moreover, the actuation of the movable locking member 1000 beingautomatic and requiring no physical effort from a user, the need toprovide manual means to activate the actuator, such as a lever, a buttonor the like, is eliminated. In this configuration, the electroniccontrol means and the actuator may be enclosed in a protective shell, asis the case in one embodiment. This configuration is also of greatadvantage, since it protects sensitive parts of the electronic controlmeans and the actuator from damage, for instance caused by rain, wind,dust, vandalism or the like.

In one embodiment, the electronic control means comprise integratedelectronic control components 902 fixedly mounted into the femaleconnector 106.

In a further embodiment, the electronic control means further comprise amodular electronic connector 900 operatively connected to the integratedelectronic control components 902. The modular electronic connector 900is provided for connecting the integrated electronic control components902 to a processing terminal (not shown), for instance a bicycle rentalterminal of an automated bicycle rental station.

In another embodiment, the electronic control means comprise unsecuringmeans for enabling an actuating of the movable locking member 1000 fromthe locked position to the unlocked position. The unsecuring means maybe selected from a group consisting of a card reader adapted forreceiving a corresponding user card, a keypad adapted for receiving auser code and a bar code reader adapted for reading a corresponding barcode.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 4A, the unsecuring meanscomprise a card reader, more specifically a magnetic card reader 400,adapted for receiving a corresponding user card 402. The skilledaddressee will appreciate that other arrangements enabling anidentification of the user prior to the unsecuring of the bicycle may beused.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the securing assembly 506 may further comprisesshaft position detecting means for monitoring a position of the shaft tothereby monitor a position of the movable locking member 1000. In oneembodiment, the shaft position detecting means is connected to thecontrol means.

According to one embodiment, the shaft position detecting means comprisea mechanical detector. In this embodiment, the shaft position detectingmeans comprise a sensor 1002 fixedly mounted to the second end of theshaft 542. More specifically, in this embodiment, the motor comprises acentral bore wherein the shaft is axially engaged therethrough, thefirst end of the shaft 542 extending coaxially towards the recess 511and the second end of the shaft 542 extending from a second, opposed endof the motor.

In one embodiment, the shaft position detecting means further comprise amechanical switch 1004 positioned near the second end of the shaft 542,the mechanical switch being located such that it may be activated by thesensor 1002 when the locking member is in the unlocked position.

In a further embodiment, the shaft position detecting means may comprisea second detector 1100 positioned near the first end of the shaft 542.This second detector 1100 may be used to validate that the maleconnector 108 is really secured to the female connector 106, which is ofgreat advantage.

In another embodiment, the shaft position detecting means may comprisean optical detector conveniently mounted proximate either the second endof the shaft or the first end of the shaft 542.

The skilled addressee will appreciate that, in one embodiment, each ofthe detectors may be adapted to detect a position of the shaft 542 andan associated position of the movable locking member 1000 in the lockedposition.

In one embodiment, the shaft position detecting means may comprise botha mechanical detector and an optical detector. The skilled addresseewill appreciate that such an embodiment is of great advantage since itprovides an enhanced reliability to the system. Indeed, this arrangementmay improve the reliance of the operator with respect to the system.

Referring back to FIGS. 5A and 5B, in one embodiment, the electroniclock 102 further comprises holding means adapted for cooperating witheach of the connecting members 106, 108 for temporarily holding theconnecting members 106, 108 together in the lockable position.

In the illustrated embodiment, the holding means comprise a pair ofopposed biased elements 502, 504 mounted to the female connector 106.Each of the biased element 502, 504 has a resting position wherein theelement is urged outwardly and protrudes from the correspondingconnecting member.

In this embodiment, the holding means further comprise a pair ofreceiving recesses 526, 528 mounted to the male connector 108, as bettershown in FIGS. 12A and 12B. The pair of receiving recesses 526, 528corresponds to the pair of opposed biased elements 502, 504 and isadapted to receive therein a corresponding biased element 502, 504 whenthe male connector 108 and the female connector 106 are engaged in thelockable position.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the opposed biased elements 502,504 is mounted to one of the opposed inner side walls 512, 514 of thetapered portion 503 of the female connector 106. Moreover, each of thereceiving recesses 526, 528 is mounted to one of the opposed sidesurfaces 550, 552 of the tapered portion 503 of the male connector 108.

In another embodiment, each of the opposed biased elements 502, 504 maybe mounted to one of the opposed side surfaces 550, 552 of the taperedportion 503 of the male connector 108. In this case, each of thereceiving recesses 526, 528 is mounted to one of the opposed inner sidewalls 512, 514 of the tapered portion 503 of the female connector 106.

It will be appreciated that the opposed biased elements andcorresponding recesses may be positioned according to variousconfigurations, as long as the opposed biased elements are mounted toone of the male connector and the female connector and the correspondingcooperating receiving recesses are mounted to the remaining connector.The skilled addressee will however appreciate that various otherconfiguration may be considered.

The holding means are of great advantage since they allow the user of abicycle to be informed that the bicycle has been conveniently positionedin the corresponding rack before securing it to the rack.

Now referring to FIGS. 11C and 13, in the illustrated embodiment, eachof the opposed biased elements 502, 504 comprises a ball and a ballspring 1101, 1103 mounted to a ball housing. Each of the receivingrecesses 526, 528 comprises a corresponding spherical portion, thespherical portion having a diameter substantially similar to the ballassociated thereto. This configuration enables each of the balls tosnuggly fit into their respective corresponding recess.

It will be appreciated that any other holding means allowing totemporarily retain the male connector 108 into the female connector 106may be considered.

In one embodiment, this above described configuration further enables amovable item to be temporarily attached to a structure in a “reducedload” design. For instance, according to one configuration, the movableitem may be engaged in the structure in a lockable position wherein themovable item does not rest on a lower surface. In such a configuration,the movable item may be temporarily retained in the lockable positionusing the holding means until the movable item is secured to thestructure.

Now referring back to FIGS. 5A and 5B, in one embodiment, the securingassembly further comprises position detecting means mounted to thefemale connector 106 for detecting a positioning of the male connector108 and the female connector 106 in the lockable position.

More specifically, in one embodiment, the position detecting means maybe adapted for detecting a positioning of the locking finger 508 in thefinger channel 515.

According to one configuration, the position detecting means maycomprise a contact detector (not shown) operatively mounted to the backwall 513 proximate the finger channel 515. The position detecting meansmay be activated when the front tapered portion 503 of the maleconnector 108 is moved forwardly into the recess 511 of the femaleconnector 106 and the locking finger contacts the contact detector whenengaging the finger channel 515.

In an alternative embodiment, the position detecting means may comprisea magnetic proximity detector operatively mounted into the back wall 513proximate the finger channel 515. In such an embodiment, the lockingfinger 508 is provided with a magnet element (not shown) mountedtherein. The position detecting means will be activated when the fronttapered portion 503 of the male connector 108 is moved forwardly intothe recess 511 of the female connector 106 and the magnetic proximitydetector detects the presence of the magnet in the finger channel 515.

This configuration advantageously prevents the activation of theposition detecting means when an object other than a corresponding maleconnector is engaged in the female connector.

In one embodiment, the detection of the male connector and the femaleconnector in the lockable position is operatively coupled to anindicator for indicating the positioning of the male connector and thefemale connector in the lockable position to a user of the electroniclock. The indicator may be a visual indicator such as a LED or the like;alternatively, the indicator may be an audio indicator such as a speakeror the like.

In one embodiment, the position detecting means are operatively coupledto the electronic control means. In such an embodiment, the electroniccontrol means are adapted for selectively actuating the actuator to movethe movable locking finger 1000 from the unlocked position to the lockedposition upon detection of the positioning of the male connector 108 andthe female connector 106 in the lockable position.

In another embodiment, the securing assembly 506 further comprises anidentification tag (not shown) associated with the bicycle and anidentification tag reader (not shown) for identifying the identificationtag and the associated bicycle when the male connector and the femaleconnector are engaged in the lockable position.

This configuration is of great advantage to enable a monitoring of theuse of each of the bicycles. It may also be of great advantage inanother application wherein a large number of items are temporarilystored and retrieved at a later time, for instance for identifyingvehicles secured to racks in a warehouse.

In a further embodiment, the electronic control means are operativelycoupled to both position detecting means and identifying means. In suchan embodiment, the electronic control means are adapted for selectivelyactuating the actuator to move the movable locking member from theunlocked position to the locked position upon two conditions, a firstcondition being a detection of the positioning of the male connector andthe female connector in the lockable position, a second condition beingan identification of the associated bicycle.

In one embodiment, the identification tag comprises an RFID tag and theidentification reader comprises an RFID reader mounted to the bicyclerack. This configuration is of great advantage since no electric wirebetween the tag and the reader is needed. The skilled addressee willappreciate that other arrangements may be considered. For example, afirst and a second corresponding electric connector may be provided oneach connector respectively. In this case, when the male connectorengages the female connector, the two electric connectors engagetogether to obtain the identification information. The use of RFIDtechnology is nevertheless preferred over the use of conventionalelectric connectors since it may help reduce breaking of the system.

It will be appreciated that this configuration is of great advantage ina bicycle rental system. Indeed, in such a system, the electronic lockdetects the engagement of a rented bicycle being returned by a user intothe bicycle rack and identifies the bicycle before securing the bicycleto the bicycle rack and charging a fee to the user according to givenparameters.

A method for securing a bicycle to a bicycle rack will now be describedin accordance with one embodiment, with reference to FIG. 15.

According to step 1500, an electronic lock as previously described isprovided, the electronic lock being mounted to a bicycle rack. In oneembodiment, the electronic lock comprises a male connector mounted tothe bicycle and a female connector mounted to the bicycle rack, the maleconnector and the female connector being engageable together in alockable position.

In one embodiment, the electronic lock further comprises a securingassembly for securing the male connector and the female connectortogether when engaged in the lockable position. In one embodiment, thesecuring assembly comprises a movable locking member operativelyassociated to the female connector and a locking aperture defined in thesecond connecting member, the locking aperture being adapted forreceiving the movable locking member when the connecting members areengaged together in the lockable position.

In one embodiment, the securing assembly further comprises an actuatoroperatively coupled to the movable locking member for actuating themovable locking member between an unlocked position enablingdisengagement of the male connector and the female connector and alocked position wherein the movable locking member engages the lockingaperture.

According to step 1502, the male connector and the female connector areengaged together in the lockable position.

According to step 1504, the movable locking member is actuated to thelocked position, thereby securing the bicycle to the bicycle rack.

Another method for securing a bicycle to a bicycle rack will now bedescribed in accordance with another embodiment, with reference to FIG.16.

According to step 1600, an electronic lock is provided, the electroniclock being mounted to a bicycle rack. In one embodiment, the electroniclock comprises a male connector mounted to the bicycle and a femaleconnector mounted to the bicycle rack, the male connector and the femaleconnector being engageable together in a lockable position.

According to step 1602, in one embodiment, a user then guides the maleconnector of the bicycle to be secured into the female connector towardsthe lockable position.

According to step 1604, the male connector and the female connector arethen engaged together in the lockable position.

According to step 1606, in one embodiment, the first and secondconnecting members are then held engaged together in the lockableposition.

According to step 1608, in one embodiment, a positioning of the maleconnector and the female connector in the lockable position is thenmonitored.

According to step 1610, in one embodiment, the bicycle is identified toprovide an identification thereof.

According to step 1612, the movable locking member is actuated to thelocked position, thereby securing the bicycle to the bicycle rack.

There is also provided a kit for removably securing a bicycle to abicycle rack. In this embodiment, the male connector is not yet mountedon the bicycle, but is mountable thereto. Similarly, the femaleconnector is not yet mounted to the bicycle rack, but is mountablethereto.

The skilled addressee will appreciate that, in one embodiment, it may beenvisaged to mount the female connector to the bicycle and the maleconnector to the bicycle rack.

Furthermore, providing the male connector and the female connectorseparately may also be contemplated by the skilled addressee.

The skilled addressee will appreciate that, in one embodiment, themovable locking member, the actuator and the electronic control meansmay be associated with the connecting member mounted to the movableitem.

The skilled addressee will also appreciate that other configurations forthe first and second complementary cooperating connecting members may beconsidered. For instance, the first connecting member may comprise amale connector and the second connecting member may comprise a femaleconnector.

One skilled in the art will further appreciate that the electronic lockherein described may be used in other applications. In an alternativeembodiment, the movable item may comprise a boat and the structure adocking wharf. In another embodiment, the movable item may comprise astroller and the structure a stroller renting station located in a mall.

In yet another embodiment, the structure may not be part of a bicyclerental station. In such an embodiment, the structure may insteadcomprise a bicycle rack owned by a user. Alternatively, in a city area,the structure may be a fence or a house wall. This configurationadvantageously enables a user owning a movable item, such as a bicycle,to removably secure the movable item to a structure owned by the sameuser.

The skilled addressee will appreciate that other arrangements for themovable locking member may be considered. Indeed, in the presentdescription the locking member has been described as being translatablebut one may envisaged an alternative embodiment wherein the movablelocking member would be rotatable between the locked and the unlockedposition.

Although the above description relates to specific preferred embodimentsas presently contemplated by the inventor, it will be understood thatthe invention in its broad aspect includes mechanical and functionalequivalents of the elements described herein.

1. An electronic lock for removably securing a movable item to astructure, the electronic lock comprising: first and secondcomplementary cooperating connecting members, each being fixedly mountedto a respective one of the movable item and the structure and beingengageable together in a lockable position; and a securing assembly forsecuring said first and second connecting members together when engagedin the lockable position, said securing assembly comprising: a movablelocking member operatively associated to the first connecting member; alocking aperture defined in the second connecting member, said lockingaperture being adapted for receiving the movable locking member when theconnecting members are engaged together in the lockable position; anactuator operatively coupled to the movable locking member for actuatingthe movable locking member between an unlocked position enablingdisengagement of the first and second connecting members and a lockedposition wherein the movable locking member engages the lockingaperture; position detecting means mounted to one of said first andsecond connecting members for detecting a positioning of said first andsecond connecting members in said lockable position; and electroniccontrol means operatively coupled to the actuator for controllingselective actuation of the movable locking member from the unlockedposition to the locked position when the position detecting meansdetects that said first and second connecting members are in saidlockable position and from the locked position to the unlocked position.2. The electronic lock as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electroniccontrol means are operatively coupled to the actuator for urgingactivation of the actuator, thereby causing the movable locking memberto be selectively actuated from the unlocked position to the lockedposition and from the locked position to the unlocked position.
 3. Theelectronic lock as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first connectingmember comprises a female connector mounted to said structure and saidsecond connecting member comprises a corresponding complementary maleconnector mounted to said movable item.
 4. The electronic lock asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said second connecting member comprises amale connector having a front tapered portion, said tapered portioncomprising two opposed side surfaces converging towards each other and abottom surface, said first connecting member comprising a femaleconnector having a recess adapted for receiving said front taperedportion therein, said recess comprising a corresponding tapered portionhaving two opposed inner side walls converging towards each other andtwo opposed sitting members projecting inwards said recess and adaptedfor slidably receiving thereon said tapered portion of said maleconnector.
 5. The electronic lock as claimed in claim 4, wherein each ofsaid two opposed side surfaces and said bottom surface of said fronttapered portion of said male connector comprises a planar surface. 6.The electronic lock as claimed in claim 4, wherein the two opposed sidesurfaces of the front tapered portion of the male connector define aV-shape and the corresponding inner side walls of the tapered portion ofthe recess of the female connector define a complementary V-shapeadapted to snuggly receive the front tapered portion of the maleconnector.
 7. The electronic lock as claimed in claim 4, wherein each ofsaid two opposed side surfaces of the front tapered portion of the maleconnector comprises a substantially vertical planar surface and each ofsaid two opposed inner side walls of the tapered portion of the recessof the female connector comprises a substantially vertical planarsurface.
 8. The electronic lock as claimed in claim 4, wherein saidsecond connecting member comprises a locking finger extending downwardlyfrom the front tapered portion, said locking aperture being provided onsaid locking finger.
 9. The electronic lock as claimed in claim 8,wherein said recess of said female connector further comprises twoopposed lower inner side walls converging towards each other anddefining a finger channel adapted for receiving the locking fingertherein.
 10. The electronic lock as claimed in claim 4, wherein saidmale connector further comprises a back portion and a hinge extendingbetween the front tapered portion and the back portion for enabling ajointed coupling therebetween.
 11. The electronic lock as claimed inclaim 1, further comprising holding means adapted for cooperating witheach of the connecting members for temporarily holding said connectingmembers together in said lockable position once engaged therein.
 12. Theelectronic lock as claimed in claim 11, wherein said holding meanscomprise a pair of two opposed biased elements mounted to a respectiveone of said first and second connecting members, each of said biasedelements having a resting position wherein said element is urgedoutwardly and protrudes from the corresponding connecting member, saidholding means further comprising a pair of corresponding cooperatingopposed receiving recesses mounted to the remaining connecting member,each of said receiving recesses being adapted to receive therein acorresponding biased element when said first and second connectingmembers are engaged in said lockable position, thereby holding saidconnecting members together in said lockable position.
 13. Theelectronic lock as claimed in claim 12, wherein each of said biasedelements comprises a ball and a ball spring mounted in a ball housing,each of said receiving recesses comprising a corresponding sphericalportion.
 14. The electronic lock as claimed in claim 12, wherein each ofsaid biased elements is mounted on the connecting member mounted to thestructure and each of the receiving recesses is mounted on theconnecting member mounted to the movable item.
 15. The electronic lockas claimed in claim 14, wherein the connecting member mounted to thestructure comprises a female connector and the connecting member mountedto the movable item comprises a male connector.
 16. The electronic lockas claimed in claim 9, wherein said securing assembly comprises positiondetecting means mounted to the female connector for detecting apositioning of said first and second connecting members in said lockableposition, said position detecting means being adapted for detecting apositioning of the locking finger in the finger channel.
 17. Theelectronic lock as claimed in claim 1, wherein said securing assemblyfurther comprises: position detecting means mounted to one of said firstand second connecting members for detecting a positioning of said firstand second connecting member in said lockable position; anidentification tag associated with said movable item; and anidentification reader for identifying said identification tag and saidassociated movable item when said first and second connectors areengaged in said lockable position.
 18. The electronic lock as claimed inclaim 17, wherein said electronic control means is adapted forselectively actuating said actuator to move said movable locking memberfrom said unlocked position to said locked position upon detection ofsaid positioning of said first and second connecting members in saidlockable position and identification of the associated movable item. 19.The electronic lock as claimed in claim 17, wherein said identificationtag comprises an RFID tag and said identification reader comprises anRFID reader mounted to said structure.
 20. The electronic lock asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said electronic control means compriseunsecuring means for enabling an actuating of the movable locking memberfrom the locked position to the unlocked position, said unsecuring meansbeing selected from a group consisting of a card reader adapted forreceiving a corresponding user card, a keypad adapted for receiving auser code and a bar code reader adapted for reading a corresponding barcode.
 21. The electronic lock as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidmovable locking member comprises an elongated member axiallytranslatable between said unlocked position and said locked position,said locking member being engaged at both ends in said first connectingmember through said locking aperture when in said locked position. 22.The electronic lock as claimed in claim 21, wherein said actuatorcomprises a motor and a shaft driven by said motor, said shaft beingattached to the movable locking member for driving said movable lockingmember between said unlocked position and said locked position.
 23. Theelectronic lock as claimed in claim 22, wherein said securing assemblyfurther comprises shaft position detecting means for monitoring aposition of the shaft to thereby monitor a position of the movablelocking member.
 24. The electronic lock as claimed in claim 23, whereinsaid shaft position detecting means comprise an optical detector and amechanical detector, each of said detector being adapted for detectingthe position of the shaft and an associated position of the movablelocking member in said locked position.
 25. The electronic lock asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said movable item comprises a bicycle andsaid structure comprises a bicycle rack.
 26. The electronic lock asclaimed in claim 25, wherein said bicycle rack is a part of a bicyclerental station.
 27. The electronic lock as claimed in claim 25, whereinsaid connecting member mounted on said bicycle comprises attaching meansfor fixedly attaching said connecting member to a fork of said bicycle.28. The electronic lock as claimed in claim 27, wherein said attachingmeans comprise a pair of cylindrical holes extending through saidconnecting member mounted on said bicycle, said pair of cylindricalholes being adapted to fixedly receive said fork of said bicycletherein.
 29. The electronic lock as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidmovable item comprises a vehicle selected from a group consisting of astroller, a wheelchair, an all-terrain vehicle, a scooter and a boat.30. The electronic lock of claim 1, wherein said position detectingmeans comprises a mechanical detector.
 31. The electronic lock of claim30, wherein said position detecting means further comprises a mechanicalswitch located such that it is activated when the locking member is inthe unlocked position.
 32. The electronic lock of claim 1, wherein saidposition detecting means comprises an optical detector.